Hoofhearted

Allan Smith has signed for Gala.

New Season - New Hope! So far we have signed six new players. Sean Brown (striker - scored 5 in 7 whilst on loan last season, and finished season at Bonnyrigg Rose) Jamie Penker (Top scorer at Stirling Uni) Rhys Armstrong (from Caley Braves - last years club player of the year with 10 goals and 19 assists) Harvey Swan (left-back from Cowdenbeath) Jordan Tapping (centre half from Stenhousemuir) and finally, Gavin Morrison (midfielder from Cowdenbeath) I still think we might need another centre half, but with most of last season's squad being retained we should be making a decent push this year. Some uninspiring re-season games lined up as well. 25th June - Spartans v East Fife (H) 2nd July - Spartans v Threave Rovers (H) 6th July - Spartans v Hearts XI (H) 9th July - Crossgates Primrose v Spartans (A) 12th July - Musselburgh v Spartans (A) 16th July - Spartans v Brechin City (H) I might take in a couple if work commitments allow. The big news is Manager Dougie Samuel has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the phenomenal work Dougie has been doing for several years in his role with the Spartans Community Football Academy and the club. A great guy and one of the nicest managers I have met. In the B Team votes, I am told we did not vote for the continued presence of the B teams in any of the 3 votes. Ainslie Park will be a quieter place this season without the FC Edinburgh boys. I look forward to seeing Tam the Bam if he follows through on the threat not to go their games.

Edinburgh Spartans it is then.....

Maybe Edinburgh City if they dont get their ground sorted soon.

East Pilton Park was used by Lauriston Thistle. They haven't yet re-emerged after Covid.

Hearts will use Ferguson Park in Rosewell. AKA the Swamp.

As a licenced club they just need a ground. I think Broadwood is looking for a tenant.

Final at Ainslie Park on Sunday 15th May

Is there still the Option for the League winners to withdraw to concentrate on the Play-off? Assuming they qualify from the group of course.

The stand opposite will still only have 3 rows and seating for 150. hardly worth the effort!

Latest picture of Meadowbank from last week.

Yes you are!

This is what was in the Spartans program after a @Ghost Goal' incident during their game at Gretna on 2nd October. WHEN SPARTANS SCORED A GHOST GOAL ….AND WHAT HAPPENNED NEXT. The main talking point from Spartans game at Gretna was the Ghost Goal and the events afterwards In the game, Spartans took the lead when a header came back from what the referee thought was the post but was actually a wheel on the outside of the frame which was behind the line. The ball was then tapped over the line by Blair Henderson. Despite protests from the Gretna 2008 players, the referee allowed the ‘goal’ to stand. Spartans Head Coach Dougie Samuel hadn’t realised the ball hadn’t bounced off the post. After a discussion with his coaching team and when the ball returned to Gretna’s possession, they instructed their players to allow Gretna 2008 to walk the ball into the net unopposed. As can be seen by the photo the ball goes out of play and hits the wheel. Well done to Mark Brown for being in the right place at the right time to capture the evidence. The news of this sporting action quickly spread via social media and the tweet below is typical of those we have seen. View attachment 17066 Other news agencies have asked for footage of the game so we may see the goal on more than just the Spartans website where it is currently viewable. At half time the home supporters applauded the Spartans off the pitch. However, Spartans scored three ‘good’ goals in the second half to win 4-1. So sometimes the good guys do win! Apologies to Spartan’s goalkeeper who lost the chance of a clean sheet, although I am sure that will happen soon. The thoughts of the referee are not known at this time.

Looks like February at the earliest before Meadowbank will be ready. The council are blaming Covid and supply issues.

Just a reminder that Spartans v Bonnyrigg on Saturday is a 2pm KO.

Lightning has struck three times! also happened to the EOS team in a game v LTHV. Spartans 'scored' when ball hit wheel inside net. Goal not awarded. LTHV go up pitch and score winner.

Might have been Kevin Brown. Mark Brown is twitter guy!

Fair summary HJ. Sammy shuffled the pack with big game on Sat v Dalbeattie. Saying that, Rose looked good and deserved win>

Spartans charging £150 for player sponsorship. Been that for a couple of years.

SPARTANS 2 Tynecastle 1

Told you

Tam Heard you are moving back to Meadowbank soon. Any news? As there already has been a New Meadowbank, Old Meadowbank and a Meadowbank 3G what will the new ground be called? New New Meadowbank?

Tynecastle also played there and they upgraded the pavilion with some of the money they received from the Craig Gordon Transfer to Sundeland. The pitch was known as being a triple use facility. football ground, public park and dog toilet!

Spartans are a member's club. There are approximately 70 voting members at present. The community charity runs the academy.

He walked into the first team age 19 and looked as though he had played there for years. Won the league and made captain the next year. Strength, pace and can pass really well. Definitely capable of league 2. Was in the Lowland league team of the year a couple of times. Sometimes the decision making isn't the best but if paired with an old head he will do a job for you.